Remittances as a Buffer Against Food Insecurity: Empirical Evidence from Protracted Crisis Settings in Kobo Town, North Wollo, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study examines how remittances contribute to household food availability, accessibility, and stability outcomes in protracted crisis settings. A mixed explanatory research design was employed, collecting data from 193 randomly selected households, ten purposively selected key informants, and six heterogeneous focus group sessions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and mean comparisons to assess remittance utilisation, categorised into four levels: none, minimal, moderate, and higher. Qualitative data were analysed thematically to explore usage patterns, coping strategies, and barriers. Findings show that 85.5% of households relied heavily on remittances to ensure food security, 6.7% used them moderately, 2.6% minimally, and 5.2% did not receive remittances. Qualitative results corroborated these patterns, revealing that remittances, typically received weekly or monthly, enhanced purchasing power, food access, and social cohesion, while also supporting social obligations such as idir, weddings, and funerals. Participants emphasised that remittances helped households prevent hunger and cope with rising living costs during crises. The study concludes that remittances are a vital lifeline that strengthens household resilience and food security. To maximise their impact, policies and programs should facilitate secure, timely, and cost-effective remittance transfers, promote financial literacy among recipients, and integrate remittance-based support into broader food security and social protection initiatives, enhancing food availability, access, and stability within recipient households